2[singular]the lower part of the face; the lower jawHe has a strong square jaw.The punch broke my jaw.

3jaws[plural]the mouth and teeth of a person or an animalThe alligator's jaws snapped shut.

4jaws[plural]the parts of a tool or machine that are used to hold things tightlythe jaws of a vice

Word Originlate Middle English: from Old Frenchjoe

‘cheek, jaw’

, of unknown origin.Extra examplesA shark can crush a boat with its massive jaws.A spider sank its jaws into my ankle.He fingered his jaw thoughtfully.He had two days’ growth of stubble on his jaw.He rubbed his sore jaw.Her jaw was set, ready for a fight.His jaw jutted stubbornly forward; he would not be denied.My jaw dropped in astonishment when I saw the size of the audience.Pythons open their jaws wide to swallow their prey whole.She dropped her jaw in astonishment.She had a fold of flesh under her jaw.She worked her lower jaw back and forth.The animal’s jaws snapped shut.The antelope could not escape the crocodile’s gaping jaws.The dog had his arm clamped between its jaws.The dog locked its jaws on her leg and wouldn’t let go.The slavering jaws of the guard dog stopped anyone going near.The stern set of the officer’s jaw made Tony realize he was in trouble.a punch to the jawIdioms